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Post by onedaysoon on Jun 13, 2002 17:27:34 GMT -5
Question for you all..
I see lots of talk regarding city forces such as Calgary and Edmonton but very little about VPD... Is there a specific reason for the lack of interest? Is anyone involved in the process or know the numbers they are taking.( i hear 100 this year)
Enlighten Me, ;D
Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life!
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Post by Glenn on Jun 13, 2002 18:11:24 GMT -5
Onedaysoon
Well I did take a look into the Vancouver Police department. One thing is that I have 28 college credits. They specified they want "30" so I don't measure up. The other fact that I haven't pursued it is that the cost of living in the Vancouver area is, well, way too high. Prices of houses are out of reach, unless I would live in the outter areas such as Surrey. Which is still too much. Then the comute into Vancouver is horrendous to say the least. I don't really like Vancouver as a city, it is in a beautiful place, right on the ocean and the mountains in the background. But Vancouver just doesn't appeal to me. Maybe its that I live in Victoria, but Calgary and Edmonton seem to be more attactive to me. Espically in the housing and cost of living is cheaper. Yeah it is a lot colder than the coast, but ya can't have everything eh! Plus it does rain the odd day on the coast...LOL Anyway, this is just my feelings on the matter, I am sure other people may love Vancouver and may think I am crazy, oh well. But like I said, this is the way I feel. Sorry if I have offended anyone about Vancouver, no hard feelings eh! I am sure Vancouver has a lot to offer some people, but to me it doesn't interest me. When I do visit Vancouver I can't wait to get out of there. While I love being in Seattle when I am down there. I cant really comment on the VPD as I have only attended one of their info sessions, but they did say they are looking for around 300 officers over the next couple of years. So good luck, Glenn ;D
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Post by onedaysoon on Jun 19, 2002 11:46:37 GMT -5
Any other opinions or thoughs on VPD.. Anyone in the process?
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Post by moose 32 on Jun 20, 2002 1:24:35 GMT -5
Hey One Day
I plan to apply to the Vancouver PD at the end of Summer. Like Glenn, I do not have 30 credits post- secondary, but I will in about 7 weeks. I am currently involved in the RCMP recruiting process and awaiting the interview. I have decided to apply to three agencies and see how each process develops. I would proudly serve with RCMP, VPD or most other police services around Vancouver. Like the RCMP, the VPD is actively recruiting for several years to come. Do you live in Greater Vancouver? If so, have you attended an information session yet?
Cheers Moose 32
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Post by Epoxy7 on Jul 26, 2002 11:59:24 GMT -5
I'll probably be applying for Van Pd soon. One thing you should keep in mind, is the difference in application time. The RCMP takes a lot longer. If you are set on RCMP then don't apply for municipal police. It takes a minimum of 6 weeks to get your test results back from RCMP, it takes about 2 weeks for Van pd. The rest of the process goes this way as well. I didn't do so well on my rpat this time around (did well last time, but credit card problem got me deferred), so I'll be trying for Van. Some other things you should know. Van doesn't have the greatest repuation right now. RCMP are considered more noble and gentlemen/ladies first. Municipal have more of a thug image. Van has had a lot of bad press lately, from infighting with airing their dirty laundry in public to inappropriate conduct by it's members. Most recently a Van officer and his friends harrassing an East Indian cab driver, both physically and verbally (racial slurs etc). Other notable problems have been mistakes with their swat or ert as it is in Vancouver. The advantages are never having to move to Timbucktwo ,a bit more money, being paid while you attend classes, Living in one of the most beautiful cities in Canada, and having a very fast backup response. I have to admit, I'd rather be RCMP. Especially if I can stay in the lower mainland.
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Post by Hopeful on Jul 26, 2002 12:42:23 GMT -5
I have a friend with 10 years on VPD. He says he loves it and can't wait to get to work every day.
RCMP make marginally more cash than VPD as they get average of top 3 contracts in the country. IE: ave of toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Since Van is 3rd, RCMP get very marginally higher pay.
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Post by onedaysoon on Jul 26, 2002 14:53:17 GMT -5
I'm a huge fan of VPD. Many years ago I was part of a program that they have, called Citizens crime watch. I had the opportunity to interact with the members and was always impressed by their dedication and professionalism. As mentioned I am going to write the RPAT in August but would be proud to be a member of VPD if being a mountie doesn't work out.
Onedaysoon ;D Find a Job you love and you'll never work a day in your life!
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Post by Epoxy7 on Jul 26, 2002 21:06:19 GMT -5
Well there are good people and bad in every dept. It's always great when you meet the good ones. The reality of the situation is that Van pd's current not so great image to the public is most likely blown out of porportion by the media. Everyone likes to criticize the police. If they don't do anything the public complains, if they do something about the problem then the police are being too aggressive. It's a no win situation. I guess thats part and parcel of being an officer, you're doing society's dirty work. By the way I read a quote from the paper a few weeks ago about Vanpd that had me laughing my head off (actually in a postive way). apparently there have been problems with a certain park and criminal activity (mainly drugs, vandalism etc). The Van pd went in with ert etc and sectioned off the park questioning everyone in it. Well the people living in the area and those inconvenienced raised hell (Of course these are the same people who complained about the problem before, but as soon as it inconveniences them they have a problem with it). The funniest part however was one quote by a Van police officer. When a citizen asked why they had to resort to military style tactics and harrass all the people just using the park, the officer responded "Because your neighbourhood is a cess pool". I was laughing so hard. Right on. Not the best PR response but none the less very funny and straight forward. I'm going to hold off for about a month before deciding whether or not to apply. I'm still hoping for RCMP.
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